It only took the first stage of the Lone Star Rally of Canterbury for Josh Marston to secure the 2020 Mainland Rally Series title and the next six fighting Robbie Stokes for the win. Stokes, with sister Amy as co-driver (Ford Fiesta AP4), beat Josh Marston/Andrew Graves (Holden Barina AP4) by 8.7 seconds after the lead flip-flopped between them throughout the day.
Heading into the rally, Marston (main picture) had a 17-point lead over rival Matt Summerfield/Nicole Summerfield (Mitsubishi Mirage AP4). Summerfield struck problems in the opening forest stage and the car was put onto the trailer at the first service park for the journey home.
“We’ve had a problem with a broken left front axle, so that is the day over as we don’t have another one with us,” said Summerfield. “To be fair, it was always a long shot today. Josh is going well and would have to have a problem for us to have any chance at the title.”
With 30-points available for a win, Marston only needed to stay on the road and finish the fourth round of the series to fully secure the title.
The first of seven stages held in the Ashley forest proved difficult for all competitors with dusty still conditions and was won by Marston. After the first service in Amberley, cars headed into SS2. A breeze had picked up which meant less dust but gravel on the stage saw Marston, now elevated to first on the road, effectively sweeping the road clean for his fellow competitors. Robbie Stokes (Ford Fiesta AP4) took advantage and grabbed the lead heading into the second service at Waikari.
The lead tipped in Marston’s favour after the third stage, the longest of the rally. With some of the hottest weather rallying has had in Canterbury for some time, Stokes had to contend with over-heating issues and lost time in both Special Stage 3 and 4. However, he was able to claw time back on the shortage 4.43 km fourth stage. The momentum continued into Stage 5, Stokes taking a 1.3 second lead heading into the last service.
Stokes went on to increase this advantage in the last two stages to secure his first rallying event victory.
“I can’t believe it,” commented Robbie Stokes. “Just amazing. An awesome day and over the moon.
“We had (overheating problems) all through the last stages but decided to push on . We are still learning the car. Just so happy (with the win).”
Marston secured the overall title with four podium finishes in the four round, shortened rally series. Having won the opening Westland Rally in March, he then finished second at the Catlins Coast Rally in August with the win to Summerfield. Summerfield went on to win the third round, the South Canterbury ‘Spring Rally’ in September with Stokes second and Marston third.
“It was our number one goal for the weekend so couldn’t be happy to win the series,” said Marston. “The car went great so need to thank the whole team.”
Third home was Regan Ross/Katrina Renshaw Ford Fiesta R5. Ross, having successfully campaigned a 2wd Ford Escort for a number of years, made the switch to a 4wd Ford Fiesta R5 this season.
“Has been a really good day,” Ross commented. “We had some moments of fast speed, and struggled in others. Still getting use to the change from 2wd to 4wd but enjoying it.”
In the Class titles for the Mainland Rally Series, Harri Judd (Toyota Starlet) secured Class A 2wd (0-1300cc), Craig McCormack (Toyota Corolla) won Class B 2wd (1301-1600cc), Marcus van Klink (Mazda RX8) won Class C 2wd (>1601cc) and finished second overall in the drivers title.
Marston also won Class D 4wd while Stephen Gill (Ford Escort) won Class F 0-1700cc Classics and Mark Parson (Subaru Impreza H6) won Class H Subaru H6.
52 cars started the rally which had 14 retirements
Mainland Series Overall Drivers (Top 10)
1/ Josh Marston 105
2/ Marcus van Klink 79
3/ Robbie Stokes 74
4/ Matt Summerfield 64
5/ Deane Buist 59
6/ Sean Haggarty 55
7/ Dave Ollis 52
8/ Mark Parsons 47
9/ John Giltrap 44
10= Regan Ross 43
10= Stephen Gill 43
Rally Canterbury Results (Top 10)
1/ Robbie Stokes/Amy Stokes Ford Fiesta AP4
2/ Josh Marston/Andrew Graves Holden Barina
3/ Regan Ross/ Katrina Renshaw Ford Fiesta R5
4/ Marcus van Klink/Dave Neill Mazda RX8
5/ Deane Buist/Rocky Hudson VW Golf Gti
6/ Jeff Judd/Lisa Hudson Ford Escort
7/ Michael Tall/Matt Richards Subaru Impreza H6
8/ David Taylor/Jared Hudson Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 7
9/ Ray Wilson/Donna Elder Subaru Impreza WRX
10/ John Silcock/Emma Quantock Mazda RX7
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